Running Out of Time - Margaret Peterson Haddix

Running Out of Time

Running Out of Time
written by Margaret Peterson Haddix

The last time I read this book was in the 4th grade upon entering the Gateway program. I loved it then, although I found some of the terminology hard to get through. Reading it when I'm older, it's still as good as ever plotwise, and gave me the additional depth of knowing exactly what I was reading, as well as picking up some things I missed the first time around. Reading the second time around, I also noticed lots and lots of hints that I missed the first time (ex: her teacher constantly asking the class what the current year is). The book, despite the fact that I knew exactly what was going to happen, still read as a really heart-thumping, suspenseful adventure, albeit with some laggy places (still as interesting, just not really adding to the plot). Jessie's story and well-created character is really an inspiration to kids, letting them know they can do wacky things they'd never even dream of doing, like holding a press conference! I think it would have been really nice to see a 5 years later, whether in the form of a sequel or just a quick epilogue, letting us know how they've adjusted to society, what they're still missing, what becomes of everything.

Rating: 4.5/5

I Loved This Book

My name is Amie. I'm in seventh grade. I read this book for a book report. This book was lots of fun to read. There were great moments of suspense and drama. It was actually the second time I read this book. My mom liked it too.

Little House On the Prairie Meets the Truman Show

Running Out of Time
By Margaret Peterson Haddix

Thirteen-year-old Jessie Keyser is growing up in 1844, or so she believed, until an epidemic of diphtheria broke out in her community. Jessie's mother makes a confession that their village set in the 1800's is, in reality, an experiment, set up in a modern world. The villagers were asked to live in Clifton Village. They were told they could leave at any time. They were also told that their families would always be provided with modern medicine. Now, things have changed, and Clifton has become a prison; without medication people will die of diphtheria.

Jessie is needed, to help her village, and save the lives of her sister and many other children. Jessie's mother gives her a set of clothing, including jeans and a tee shirt and helps her escape into the night.

After spending the night in a brightly lit bathroom, she joins a school group, who are actually watching her village, perform their usual duties. She sees her father working in his blacksmith shop, and watches her classmates recite. It is all Jessie can do to keep the shock out of her voice, as she asks, "Why are there so many empty seats in the classroom?"

Jessie faces a scary world, of automobiles, traffic lights, telephones, radios and televisions, as she escapes into the unknown world, of 1996. Her mission is to find a payphone and call a man who can help the village. Her mother told her that this man will call a press conference and contact the health department.

Will Jessie get caught, escaping from what has become her family's prison? Can she survive in an unknown world? Can she get help for her village? Will anyone believe her story?

At first, I thought this story was like so many other stories, but I was wrong. Running Out of Time is a fast paced story with mystery and danger at every turn.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author:Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)

Could have been really good

I was really intrigued when a friend told me the plot for this book and I was excited to read it. However, it was very early in the book that I realized that I would not be happy with either the plot, the character development, or writing.
The writing is probably the most frustrating. There are so many random statements made throughout the book that aren't clarified. Or, the main character will jump from thought to thought, again without explanation or well written transitions.
The Plot and character development are much like the random statements made throughout the book, poorly done.

Awesome for Everyone!

I remember reading this book when I was in third grade- I had bought it from the school-book-fair. I was and still am a huge fan of mystery novels. I was a little unsure of the book at first but once I opened the book to read it, I couldn't stop. I stayed up late reading it until I had finished it. I remember when I was heading into middle school my mom helped me pack up all my old books, and I pulled this one out to read it again. I have read this book many times, and it still amazes me to this day.

It is one of those books that, while you are reading it, you feel as though you are right there running with her. It has good details and an amazing plot, and it really makes you feel like it is a movie you watched when you are done reading it. Even though it is for the younger age group, don't feel ashamed for picking it up to read if you are older. Like I said, I first read it when I was 8 years old and I am 20 now, and have no problem picking it up. It is a book that just grabs you; surprisingly within the first page it makes you want to read more.

I definitely recommend this book to people of ALL ages and I think that once you read it once, you will have to read it again!

Running Out of Time

Running Out of Time
written by Margaret Peterson Haddix

The last time I read this book was in the 4th grade upon entering the Gateway program. I loved it then, although I found some of the terminology hard to get through. Reading it when I'm older, it's still as good as ever plotwise, and gave me the additional depth of knowing exactly what I was reading, as well as picking up some things I missed the first time around. Reading the second time around, I also noticed lots and lots of hints that I missed the first time (ex: her teacher constantly asking the class what the current year is). The book, despite the fact that I knew exactly what was going to happen, still read as a really heart-thumping, suspenseful adventure, albeit with some laggy places (still as interesting, just not really adding to the plot). Jessie's story and well-created character is really an inspiration to kids, letting them know they can do wacky things they'd never even dream of doing, like holding a press conference! I think it would have been really nice to see a 5 years later, whether in the form of a sequel or just a quick epilogue, letting us know how they've adjusted to society, what they're still missing, what becomes of everything.

Rating: 4.5/5

I Loved This Book

My name is Amie. I'm in seventh grade. I read this book for a book report. This book was lots of fun to read. There were great moments of suspense and drama. It was actually the second time I read this book. My mom liked it too.

Little House On the Prairie Meets the Truman Show

Running Out of Time
By Margaret Peterson Haddix

Thirteen-year-old Jessie Keyser is growing up in 1844, or so she believed, until an epidemic of diphtheria broke out in her community. Jessie's mother makes a confession that their village set in the 1800's is, in reality, an experiment, set up in a modern world. The villagers were asked to live in Clifton Village. They were told they could leave at any time. They were also told that their families would always be provided with modern medicine. Now, things have changed, and Clifton has become a prison; without medication people will die of diphtheria.

Jessie is needed, to help her village, and save the lives of her sister and many other children. Jessie's mother gives her a set of clothing, including jeans and a tee shirt and helps her escape into the night.

After spending the night in a brightly lit bathroom, she joins a school group, who are actually watching her village, perform their usual duties. She sees her father working in his blacksmith shop, and watches her classmates recite. It is all Jessie can do to keep the shock out of her voice, as she asks, "Why are there so many empty seats in the classroom?"

Jessie faces a scary world, of automobiles, traffic lights, telephones, radios and televisions, as she escapes into the unknown world, of 1996. Her mission is to find a payphone and call a man who can help the village. Her mother told her that this man will call a press conference and contact the health department.

Will Jessie get caught, escaping from what has become her family's prison? Can she survive in an unknown world? Can she get help for her village? Will anyone believe her story?

At first, I thought this story was like so many other stories, but I was wrong. Running Out of Time is a fast paced story with mystery and danger at every turn.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author:Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)

Could have been really good

I was really intrigued when a friend told me the plot for this book and I was excited to read it. However, it was very early in the book that I realized that I would not be happy with either the plot, the character development, or writing.
The writing is probably the most frustrating. There are so many random statements made throughout the book that aren't clarified. Or, the main character will jump from thought to thought, again without explanation or well written transitions.
The Plot and character development are much like the random statements made throughout the book, poorly done.

Awesome for Everyone!

I remember reading this book when I was in third grade- I had bought it from the school-book-fair. I was and still am a huge fan of mystery novels. I was a little unsure of the book at first but once I opened the book to read it, I couldn't stop. I stayed up late reading it until I had finished it. I remember when I was heading into middle school my mom helped me pack up all my old books, and I pulled this one out to read it again. I have read this book many times, and it still amazes me to this day.

It is one of those books that, while you are reading it, you feel as though you are right there running with her. It has good details and an amazing plot, and it really makes you feel like it is a movie you watched when you are done reading it. Even though it is for the younger age group, don't feel ashamed for picking it up to read if you are older. Like I said, I first read it when I was 8 years old and I am 20 now, and have no problem picking it up. It is a book that just grabs you; surprisingly within the first page it makes you want to read more.

I definitely recommend this book to people of ALL ages and I think that once you read it once, you will have to read it again!